A Bowel Management Program (Retrograde Rectal Enema) for the Treatment of Low Anterior Resection … (NCT06424522) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
A Bowel Management Program (Retrograde Rectal Enema) for the Treatment of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome in Rectal Cancer Patients
United States80 participantsStarted 2026-08-15
Plain-language summary
This clinical trial studies if a bowel management program with a retrograde rectal enema (RRE) for the treatment of low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) in rectal cancer patients is better than medical management alone. Rectal cancer treatment can include a procedure where part of the rectum with cancer is removed and the remaining part of the rectum is reconnected to the colon, this is called a low anterior resection of the rectum. LARS is a common condition that can develop after undergoing a low anterior resection of the rectum. LARS consists of any change in how the body performs defecation, the discharge of feces from the body, after undergoing a resection procedure. Patients with LARS may experience fecal urgency, incontinence, increased frequency, constipation, feelings of incomplete bowel movement, or bowel emptying difficulties. Patients may experience individual symptoms of LARS or a combination of them. A bowel management program assists patient's with identifying a specific bowel management regimen that works best for managing symptoms of LARS. A RRE consists of inserting a catheter through the anus into the rectum. The RRE is designed to assist fecal emptying. Medical management of LARS can include the use of fiber, loperamide hydrochloride, or pelvic floor physical therapy. Fiber may help relieve constipation, feelings of incomplete bowel movement, or bowel emptying difficulties. Loperamide hydrocholoride may help lessen fecal urgency, incontinence, or increased frequency. Pelvic floor physical therapy may help restore strength in the rectum possibly helping to improve symptoms of LARS. Participating in a bowel management program with a RRE may be more effective in treating LARS than medical management alone.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age ≥ 18 years old
* Moderate to Severe LARS diagnosis
* Patients with history of rectal cancer that was treated with proctectomy
* Has undergone standard medical management without improvement of symptoms for 3-6 months
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients presenting with significant stricture that need a definitive surgical management strategy; patients with minor or clinically negligible strictures can still be candidates. Patients who are able to pass the catheter and the balloon per rectum may be candidates after a digital rectal exam at their initial visit
* Patients with any chemo or radiation therapy in the last 6 months
* Patients who currently have colorectal cancer
* Patients with recurrent colorectal cancer
* Patients who have undergone a colorectal surgical procedure within the last three months
* Patients with progressive neurological disease
* Patients with active or recurrent sacral infection
* Patients \< 18 years old
* Active sacral nerve simulator
* Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the treatment portion of the study
* Altered mental status or mental disability that would alter ability to self-administer enema
* Any reason the research team believes the subject is not an appropriate candidate for this study (i.e., transportation issues, history of no-show appointments, lack of reliable communications, vulnerable population(s), etc.)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Fecal incontinence
Timeframe: Up to 1 year from start of treatment
2
Effectiveness assessed using LARS validated scoring tool
Timeframe: Up to 1 year from start of treatment
Trial details
NCT IDNCT06424522
SponsorOhio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center